We’re a month into 2021, and Q1 is well underway. Your New Year’s Resolutions are still going strong. By all means, your company (and the world at large) shows a lot more promise than it did in 2020.
Undoubtedly you want to keep the momentum going. But how can you implement tactics and make the most of Q1 before your business runs out of steam? Today we’ll lay the foundation for a Q1 marketing strategy that will last through Qs 2, 3, and 4. Buckle up.
1. Add Incentives to Your Website
In other words, what’s in it for your customers (besides a great product, of course)? Here are some examples of incentives that get people clicking, liking, sharing, and converting:
- Social media competitions that rely on user-generated content. For example, the IG post of a customer modeling your product that gets the most likes could earn a free item from the store at the end of Q1.
- Product giveaways and random lotteries. For customers already subscribed to your email list, of course.
- Free shipping. News flash, shipping is expensive! If you have the means to do so, consider offering free shipping, even if it’s for a limited time. After all, for 9 out of 10 customers, it’s the #1 top incentive for online shopping. Similarly, expedited shipping and bulk discounts on large orders are also fantastic incentives.
- Value propositions. In other words, the “why should I choose you?” of marketing. Value propositions clearly state what your company does that others can’t—i.e., how you solve problems, improve circumstances, and benefit the customer in both the short and long term.
2. Level Up Your Web Design
Okay, we admit it, “better web design” is pretty vague, especially if you want to see results within the first quarter of 2021. That being said, develop a content calendar that maps out your web design strategy for the year and breaks it down by quarter. Maybe this quarter, you’ll focus on creating varied content. Then again, perhaps you’ll zero in on mobile compatibility, typography, or color palette.
Boosting web design for Q1 of 2021 means learning from last year’s mistakes. What worked? What didn’t? You don’t have to completely overthrow 100% of your web design strategy—maybe just, like, 30% of it.
3. Commit to a Positive UX
Amazon’s net revenue didn’t skyrocket to $96.15 billion overnight. A considerable part of their success is their commitment to a positive user experience. Now, we don’t expect you to have hundreds of engineers at the ready, or to completely revamp your UX in one quarter, for that matter. But you should have at least a few UX professionals at the ready, launching new initiatives that address customers’ needs. Try committing to a specific aspect of UX in Q1—for example, interaction design or web development. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but you do have to start somewhere.
4. Create Flawless Copy
First and foremost, web copy is there to attract search engine web crawlers and convert customers. But it doesn’t end there—your writing also needs to be persuasive. Not only will your business pop up first in response to popular keywords and phrases, excellent copy addresses customer needs and solves them with aplomb.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “oh, no, my site is going to need an entire rewrite,” stop right there. That’s an ambitious goal, but quite a bit of pressure to put on yourself in Q1 alone. Start with some of these more manageable goals for an initial boost in conversions.
Perfect Landing Page Copy
Customers find your landing page through search engines. And to convince search engines you’re a brand worth their salt, your landing page should be flawless. After all, why would Google link to a landing page that looked sloppy, unprofessional, or didn’t answer the right questions?
Here are some ways to create stellar landing page copy:
- Capture interest quickly. Our attention spans are somewhere between 3-5 seconds. (Hint: riveting headlines, captions, and images are quick ways to catch eyes and lower bounce rates).
- Develop call-to-action copy. You don’t have to request customers make a purchase right away—often, CTAs are as simple as encouraging them to sign up for emails or request a demo. Use action-oriented words that place the customer in the driver’s seat (i.e., “Start My Free Trial!”) and watch those conversions rise.
Scope Out Competitors to Make Your Brand Voice Stand Out
There’s a reason you’re neck-and-neck with your top competitors: their product, as much as it pains you to admit it, is actually pretty good. Any customer would have a hard time choosing between you and your competition.
In these instances, brand voice breathes new life into your marketing strategy. Define this voice early into Q1. Is your brand conversational and approachable? Quirky and irreverent? Minimalist and to-the-point? It’s up to you. Just remember that good copy, no matter how casual it sounds, should still be carried out competently and professionally. Nothing in copywriting happens by accident.
Ready to See Those Q1 Sales Soar?
We had a feeling you’d say that! Let’s get the ball rolling and schedule a conversation. 2021 can be your year, but it all starts with a more efficient and customer-friendly Q1.